Tuesday, February 14, 2012

WOLF SPIRIT Feb. 2012

I don't know what happened to the first month of this new year,
its gone and the second one is on its way out too!!! Going to fast!!
I am having trouble keeping up! :>)

I hope your new year was good. Mine was quiet and nice. Time to reflect and think about love ones. Now its back to work!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
BIA won't get involved in Chukchansi disenrollment dispute
Friday, February 10, 2012The Bureau of Indian Affairs isn't getting involving in a disenrollment dispute within the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians in California The tribe removed 54 people from the rolls last October. Among those who were disenrolled were Ruby Cordero, an 87-year-old woman who is one of the last fluent Chukchansi speakers and is an expert on basket weaving.

The tribe has since removed another 70 people, The Sierra Star reported. The descendants of Chief Hawa, one of the last Chukchansi chiefs, were among those who were disenrolled.

"In my family, from the day I was born, my dad told me I was Chukchansi," Chris Ballew, 70, told the paper. "We were always proud to be Indian, even when it wasn't a fad to be Chukchansi."

The BIA says it's up to the tribe to determine its membership.

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Honor the sacred.
Honor the Earth, our Mother.
Honor the Elders.
Honor all with whom we share the Earth:-

The Oglala Sioux Tribe filed a lawsuit in federal court today, aimed at stopping the sale of alcohol in Whiteclay, Nebraska. Whiteclay lies just outside the border of the Pine Ridge Reservation, where alcohol is banned. The lawsuit alleges that liquor stores and liquor distributors are violating state law by knowingly sell their products to reservation residents.

"The Oglala Sioux Tribe seeks compensation for all of the damages the Lakota people have suffered as a result of illegal alcohol sales," attorney Tom White said in a press release "The defendants have failed to make reasonable efforts to ensure their products are distributed and sold in obedience to the laws of the State of Nebraska and the Oglala Sioux Tribe."

According to Mark Vasina, the president of Nebraskans for Peace, a group that has been raising awareness of the issue, four liquor stores in Whiteclay sold 4.9 milion cans of beer in 2010. Only a handful of people live in the town so most of the liquor ends up on the reservation. "Much of the beer is bootlegged onto the Pine Ridge for resale," Vasina said.

Whiteclay has been blamed for crime, social and other problems on the reservation. In 1999, the bodies of two tribal members were found outside of Whiteclay. The case has never been solved.

"We can now begin to address the terrible harm to the Lakota people caused by Whiteclay alcohol sales," said vice president Tom Poor Bear, whose brothers were the victims in the 1999 case.

WOUNDED KNEE, SOUTH DAKOTA – On a cold, windy morning, the mass grave site of the victims of the 1890 Wounded Knee Massacre is lonely and desolate.

The grave itself is surrounded by a cemetery, and backed by a log cabin church. Trash blows in from the surrounding area, empty beer boxes blowing up against and getting hung up on the chain link fence. There is little honor and reverence to be found in what should be the most revered site of the Lakota people.

With a strong mind and a generous heart, one Oglala man has taken on the responsibility of caring for the resting place of those victims of such a tragic and devastating event in the history of the Lakota people. Julian Brown Eyes, a member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, and owner of Competitive Masonry out of Rapid City, has taken the initiative in redoing the brick area surround the mass grave.

Donating all the materials needed as well as asking his employees, all Natives, to volunteer for such a poignant task, the renovation is being done at no cost to the descendants or the tribes who have people buried there.

Brown Eye’s has invited his own daughter, up and coming singer and guitarist as well as model and photographer, Juliana Brown Eyes, of Scatter Their Own, to document the project in its entirety. Julian Brown Eyes has stated that he is not doing this for any recognition, and does not want a big fuss made of it, but is doing this for the honor of the people who had fled the US Government to avoid imprisonment, and instead met their deaths, elders, women and children alike, unarmed, ill and brutally murdered.

CHICAGO -- Only in America can saying "I love you" merit a senseless punishment.
Just days after I wrote a column about the need for this country to not only ensure that all its public school students are fluent in English but also be able to communicate in other languages comes this story out of Shawano, Wis.: A 12-year-old was punished by a teacher for speaking a few non-English words in class.

Miranda Washinawatok said she was reprimanded by her Sacred Heart Catholic School homeroom teacher for "attitude issues" so egregious that the seventh-grader was benched from playing in her school's basketball game that evening.

Washinawatok, a bilingual student who speaks her family's native Menominee language, said the words "posoh" and "Ketapanen" which mean, respectively, "Hello" and "I love you" to two of her classmates.

According to news reports, Miranda's mother, Tanaes Washinawatok, said the teacher responded by slamming her hands down on the desk and stating, "You are not to be speaking like that. How do I know you're not saying something bad?"

That's really what it always comes down to when we're discussing the overly emotional topic of language, doesn't it? When monolingual people hear others speaking a different language, they tend to feel uncomfortable, like maybe they are being spoken of unkindly.

I get that -- no one wants to feel awkward, but monolingual Americans need to get over the fear that people who speak languages other than English are somehow saying something bad.

It's beyond ridiculous that in a school that is 60 percent Native American, and situated about six miles from the Menominee Indian Tribe Reservation, a student got punished not for disturbing class or ignoring an instructor, but for teaching a fellow pupil how to say a few words in a different language.

This -- in addition to the vitriolic emails I was flooded with after suggesting that foreign languages and bilinguality have important roles to play in enriching American culture -- illustrates how sadly unprepared some people are to accept our rapidly diversifying country and the realities of globalization.

Yet, it's almost understandable when people who don't have positive relationships with those who speak other languages feel this way. It is a disgrace, however, that professional staff at a largely Native American-populated school have so little regard for their own students' culture.

Sure, the school sent home a letter of apology for allowing a "perception" of cultural discrimination to exist, but it insisted that the disciplinary incident "was not the result of any discriminatory action or attitude and did not happen as a negative reaction to the cultural heritage of any of our students."

A "cultural awareness program" may be instituted for staff and students, which is fine. But the lesson is clear: Our young people have no issues with happily coexisting in our melting pot of multi-languages and multi-cultures. It's the so-called adults who need to come to grips with reality.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Earth, Teach Me
Earth teach me quiet ~ as the grasses are still with new light.
Earth teach me suffering ~ as old stones suffer with memory.
Earth teach me humility ~ as blossoms are humble with beginning.
Earth teach me caring ~ as mothers nurture their young.
Earth teach me courage ~ as the tree that stands alone.
Earth teach me limitation ~ as the ant that crawls on the ground.
Earth teach me freedom ~ as the eagle that soars in the sky.
Earth teach me acceptance ~ as the leaves that die each fall.
Earth teach me renewal ~ as the seed that rises in the spring.
Earth teach me to forget myself ~ as melted snow forgets its life.
Earth teach me to remember kindness ~ as dry fields weep with rain.

The Senate on Monday passed S.636, a bill that allows the Quileute Tribe of Washington to move out of a tsunami zone.

The bill transfers 785 acres within Olympic National Park to the tribe. The land will allow the tribe to escape the threat of tsunamis and flooding.

"I am overwhelmed with emotions and so grateful that our tribe will actually be able to move our elders and children out of the path of a tsunami and up to higher ground. Our tribal school, senior center, administrative offices and elders situated in the lower village, will all benefit from the passage of this legislation," Chairman Tony Foster said in a press release.

The House approved an identical version of the bill, H.R.1162, last week. It now goes to President Barack Obama for his signature.

Members of the Huichol Tribe in Mexico say a $100 million silver mine threatens their way of life.

Tribal members make a 150-mile pilgrimage from their villages in western Mexico to the mountains near Real de Cartorce. They gather peyote from Wirikuta, a mountain that they consider a portal to the world.

Another mountain is considered the birthplace of the sun. Both will be affected by the proposed mine.

"For them the whole mountain is a temple, and the gold and silver below the ground are there for a reason — they contribute to the energy, and it would be best if they just left it alone," spokesperson Eduardo Guzman told the Associated Press.

A Canadian company, First Majestic Silver, and its Mexican partner, Real Bonanza, say the mine won't harm any sacred sites although permits are being sought to drill shafts inside both sacred mountains. They are also promising to set aside land for the tribe.

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Obama proposes another increase for IHS budget in FY2013 Monday, February 13, 2012

The Indian Health Service will see another boost in its budget under the fiscal year 2013 budget proposal that President Barack Obama released today.

According to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the IHS will be funded at $4.422 billion. That's an increase from the $4.307 billion estimate for fiscal year 2012.

It's also an increase from the $4.069 billion that the IHS saw in fiscal year 2011. When other spending is added, the agency will receive what appears to be a record $5.5 billion under Obama's request.

"The budget includes $5.5 billion for the Indian Health Service (IHS) to strengthen federal, tribal, and urban programs that serve two million [American Indians and Alaska Natives] at over 650 facilities in 35 states," the OMB wrote.

According to the document, the budget provides increases for contract health services. These are funds that the IHS uses to purchase care at outside facilities.

The OMB also said the budget will increase funds for construction of new hospitals and clinics and to staff new facilities.

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Native American Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit Whose voice I hear in the winds,

And whose breath gives life to all the world hear me, I am small and weak, I need your strength and wisdom. Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand the things you have taught my people.

Let me learn the lessons you have hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother, but to fight my greatest enemy - myself. Make me always ready to come to you with clean hands and straight eyes. So when life fades, as the fading sunset, my Spirit may come to you without shame.

(translated by Lakota Sioux Chief Yellow Lark in 1887)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~***************OF IMPORTANCE******************PLEASE READ
I would like to talk to you about something we can all help with. Keeping people alive! People, that in most cases, have no resources to help themselves so they sit and wait for death from freezing or hunger. People that live in broken down trailers covered in cardboard to keep the wind out. People that have no running water, no working bathroom, no heat, and still manage to thank their Creator for what they do have. I know, you are thinking "I wish I could help these poor people but I don’t have enough for my family"! Imagine…you have no food and someone offers you ten dollars to buy your family food. Just ten dollars!!!! To us this is not much, maybe the morning coffee at Dunkin Donuts and a donut to go with it. How about the next paperback book you want to read? I am sure there are things we can sacrifice to help these strong people stay alive through the bad times. (for some of them that has been their whole life)

Yes, this place is in the United States of America!!! Not some foreign country. Right here!!!

As you all must know by now, I am pretty much still looking for a place to live …We are dealing with Tony’s alzheimers and my illnesses which makes it difficult at times. I can’t see that ‘light at the end of the tunnel’ yet..but I know its there!!!!

I tell you this because we could still find five or ten dollars to send to help people worse off than us. A few dollars can’t get us out of our dilemma, but if we all send something we WILL make a difference to someone. Please…dig down and pull out what ever you can. Below is some information, please read it and do what you can, please?

As our friend Joan Rodriguez says it:EVERY YEAR MANY ELDERLY AND CHILDREN IN SOUTH DAKOTA FREEZE TO DEATH AND THE CONSTANT STRUGGLE TO RAISE MONEY FOR PROPANE & WARM CLOTHING & FOOD, MEDICAL & SHELTER BECOMES A MAIN OBJECTIVE! PLEASE WORK WITH US AT FREDDY & LITTLE MASSI CALLING CORP TO HELP US GET THESE BASIC LIFE SAVING ITEMS TO THEM , BY DONATING WHATEVER LITTLE YOU CAN SO THAT WE CAN KEEP PROVIDING THESE SERVICES ASAP : Make your contribution to Pay Pal Account : freddyandlittlemassicallingcor​p@yahoo.com or

If you would like more information on Freddy Little Massi Calling Corp. you can see it on their facebook page at: Freddy Little Massi or call David in NY: 1 646.294.6623 or Wanbli in SD 605.828.0973 You can always contact me at: shiakoda@att.net or 860.873.1672 and I will do whatever I can to help you understand that this is not a hand-out..it’s a hand-up! Conditions need to change so they can help themselves one day and not have to depend on others, literally, for their lives. Between all of us we can make the change that they need. I will be praying for you to be touched by Creator and help however you can. They need just about everything: food, clothing, household goods, fuel, monetary donations, etc. If you have suggestions on how to raise money for this cause please contact me Shi at shiakoda@att.net. Maybe we can get together and start something up in our state.As David Anthony says: "It’s not about us, it’s about the people"! freddyandlittlemassi​callingcorp@yahoo.co​mThank you so much and many Blessings

Shiakoda Autumn Wolf Moon Q.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~You have noticed that everything an Indian does in a circle, and that is because the Power of the World always works in circles, and everything and everything tries to be round.
In the old days all our power came to us from the sacred hoop of the nation and so long as the hoop was unbroken the people flourished. The flowering tree was the living center of the hoop, and the circle of the four quarters nourished it. The east gave peace and light, the south gave warmth, the west gave rain and the north with its cold and mighty wind gave strength and endurance. This knowledge came to us from the outer world with our religion.

Everything the power of the world does is done in a circle. The sky is round and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are all the stars. The wind, in its greatest power, whirls.

Birds make their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.

The sun comes forth and goes down again in a circle. The moon does the same and both are round. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were.

The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childhood, and so it is in everything where power moves. Our teepees were round like the nests of birds, and these were always set in a circle, the nation's hoop, a nest of many nests, where the Great Spirit meant for us to hatch our children.

Black Elk, Holy Man of the Oglala Sioux 1863-1950

Over a hundred years ago Black Elk had a vision of the time when Indian people would heal from the devastating effects of European migration. In his vision the Sacred Hoop which had been broken, would be mended in seven generations.

The children born into this decade will be the seventh generation.

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RECIPES:

Winter Corn Chowder

Yield: 1 pot

1 1/2 c Dried corn 6 sl Bacon

4 c Milk 1/2 ts Salt

3 c Broth 2 c Chopped onion

2 ts Sugar

Rinse corn and combine with broth in saucepan; bring to boil. Remove to heat and allow to stand for 2 hours, then cook for 45 minutes. Cook bacon in skillet until crisp. Drain. Cook onion in drippings. Add to corn mixture and simmer 5 minutes. Add milk, sugar, and salt; sprinkle with bacon.

After staying out of the competition for a few years, Dallas Arcand returned to the ring. The Cree man from Alberta, Canada, who won the contest in 2006 and 2007, reclaimed the title of world's best hoop dancer.
Lane Jensen (Navajo/Pima/Maricopa) placed second. Tony Duncan (San Carlos Apache/Mandan/Hidatsa/Arikara), who was the 2011 champion, came in third.

The rest of the contest proved to be a family affair. Three-time youth champion Tyrese Jensen, son of Lane Jensen, won his first teen division world championship over Talon Ree Duncan, Tony Duncan’s younger brother, and Vanessa Schocko (Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa & Chippewa).

In the youth division, Tiana Schocko, the younger sister of Vanessa Schocko, won the world title; Nedallas Hammill (Navajo/Ho-Chunk), the son of Brian Hammill, won second place; and Jacob Cabarrubia (Little River Band of Ottawa Indians) came in third.

An estimated 7,000 people attended the event.

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FUNNIES:

Two Indians at Plymouth Rock watch a huge ship full of white people pulling into the harbor. The one looks at the other and asked "Do you think they'll stay overnight?".

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An Apache guy, who had spent his whole life in the desert, goes to visit a friend who had moved to town. He'd never seen a train or the tracks they run on.

While standing in the middle of the railroad tracks one day, he hears this whistle -- Whooee da Whoee! -- but doesn't know what it is.

BAM!!, he's hit by the train and tossed to the side of the tracks. It was only a glancing blow, so he was lucky enough to live through it with a few broken bones and some bruises.

After weeks in the hospital recovering, he's at his friend's house attending a party one evening. While in the kitchen, he suddenly hears the teapot whistling. He grabs a baseball bat from the nearby closet and proceeds to batter and bash the teapot into an unrecognizable lump of metal. His friend, hearing the noise, rushes into the kitchen, sees what's happened and asks the Apache guy, "Why'd you bust up my teapot?" The desert man replies, "Shii' kiis', you gotta kill these things when they're small."

*~~~~~~~~~~ *~~~~~~~~~~

This wagon train is heading across the desert, when all of a sudden the wagon master notices that on all sides of the valley, there are Indian guys. He quickly forms the wagons into the "Hollywood" circle, to protect the families in the train. Nothing happens. Soon, drums are heard pounding out in the distance, BUM, bum, bum, bum, BUM, bum, bum, bum, BUM, bum, bum, bum.......(the famous Hollywood drumbeat from the John Ford movies) The wagon master tells the train, "I don't like the sound of this...." From out in the distance comes another voice, saying, "We don't like the sound of it either. He's not our regular drummer!"

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rez (reservation) dawgs

How can you spot the difference between a regular canine and a Rez dog?

Throw each one in the oven at 400 degrees for 20 minutes.

The regular canine should come out tender and moist.

The Rez dog will come out with a towel wrapped around his waist saying,

"Dang that was a good sweat!"

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Q: What do you call a Sioux guy out walking his dog?

A: Vegetarian

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Ghost Indian

Two Ponca men were sitting out on a back road visiting. All at once there was a tapping on the window.

"Ah Hoh!" "Hey guy!" "I think there is a ghost tapping on the window!"

Sure enough a wizened face with long flowing white hair was there just out side the window.

The Ponca man driving shoved his foot down on the gas and immediately was doing 60 miles and hour.

"Step on it!" "He's still out there!" And sure enough, there was another tapping at the window.

The driver shoved his foot to the floor again! This time he was doing ninety (90) miles an hour.

Still the ghostly figure tapped on the window.

"You better giver 'er some more gas!" "He's still out there."

"I can't go any faster, I've got her up to 120 miles an hour

About that time the little old man motioned for the passenger to roll the window down, which he did.

"Say Boys!" "I was wanting to know, do you need a shove to get out of this mud hole?"

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"Only to the white man was nature a "wilderness" and only to him was the land "infested" with "wild" animals and "savage" people. To us, it was tame. Earth was bountiful and we were surrounded with the blessings of the Great Mystery. Not until the hairy man from the east came and with brutal frenzy heaped injustices upon us and the families we loved was it "wild" for us. When the very animals of the forest began fleeing from his approach, then it was for us that the "wild west" began."

Pray for all that are incarcerated that they find peace and a new way.
Pray for wisdom for our Spiritual Leaders so they can help others find their way
Pray for our troops fighting for our freedom
Pray for UTAN... to keep us strong and always together
Pray for all Clan Mothers and Chiefs...to show the right way and to lead with strength and wisdom

All our ancestors and relations

Please…special prayers for Wanbli and David and all the good they so selflessly do for our people. Thank you so much guys. Many blessings will come to you.

Bless Freddy Little Massi Calling Corp for all they have done and are doing.

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SEVEN VALUES OF LAKOTA LIFE

1. Woc' ekiya-- Praying: finding spirituality by communicating with your highter power, this is communication between you and Tunkasila without going through another person or spirit.

2. Wao' hola--Respect: for self, highter power, family, community and all of life.

3. Waun' sila--Caring and Compassion: love, caring and concern for one another in a good way, especially for the family, the old ones, the young ones, the orphans, the ones in mourning, the sick, and the ones working for the people.

4. Wowijake--Honesty and Truth; with yourself, highter power, and others with sincerity.

5. Wawokiye--Generosity and Helping: helping without expecting anything in return, giving from the heart.

6. Wah' wala--Humility; we have a spirit, we are no better nor less than others.

7. Wo' okagnige--Wisdom; practice with knowledge comes wisdom.

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ANIMAL GUIDES:

This is a list of animals that come into our dreams and waking life and what it means to you when you see them. They either have a one time message for you or they are coming to you as your new animal totem. If they appear to you they always have a message for you now in your daily life.

The Bear

The bear holds the teachings of introspection. When it shows up in your life pay attention to how you think, act and interact. Use discernment in all that you do and discriminate with care. Bear teaches you how to make choices from a position of power.

The Cougar

The other side of cougar is its illusive quality. It can appear without being noticed and quietly take control of a situation. Sometimes this can lead to conflict with others over territory. Those with cougar medicine have past life connections relating to power and leadership. When the cougar selects you as its student be prepared for the ride of your life. It can shred you into little pieces (dissolve karma and identity) then put you back together again with a pure heart and purpose. True leadership through gentle assertiveness is what cougar teaches those with this totem.

The Coyote

Like the coyote we can work with others to get what we want in life, or we can dive into a lake to catch a reflection. We can send troubles away or invite them carelessly. When coyote wanders into your life you are being asked to look at something you have been avoiding. Coyote is our mirror for the lessons we need to learn in order to walk a good sacred road. It will hold up the mirror relentlessly until we finally get the picture. Call on coyote as an ally for negotiating a difficult situation. Or thank him for coming and showing you a trap that you are caught in, or a way that you are fooling yourself. Coyote is an especially powerful teacher with regard to relationships because it is when we are in a relationship that we can fool ourselves the most. Coyote is not out there to get us, but to teach us, whether we want to learn or not.

The Crow

The striking black color of crow represents the color of creation. It is the womb out of which the new is born. Black the color of night gives birth to the light of a new day. Crow is a daytime bird reminding us that magic and creation are present in both. Their ability to shift between the known and unknown world indicates new journeys. Because crow is adaptable to all environments and will eat almost anything, they can survive in almost any situation. Crow is associated with magic, unseen forces and spiritual strength. If crow flies into your life, get out of your familiar nest, look beyond your present range of vision, listen to its caw and act accordingly.

The Deer

Watching the deer and her young is a reminder to honor the child like innocence within your self and move with gentleness and an open heart. It also suggests that you stand strong on your path and not allow yourself to get distracted by outside influences. The set of antlers that the male deer grows are the antennae that connects it to higher forms of attunement. If you encounter a deer in the wild try to count the number of points on their antlers. This number ties into numerology and can hold great significance for those with this totem.

The Dog

Certain breeds of dog were designed for specific functions. The study of the breed and its purpose can help you define the energy associated with it. Since wolves and coyotes are its descendants these should be studied as well. The behavior of a dog often reflects the personality of its owner. Through its observation and constant interaction with you it anticipates your next move, and serves as a mirror image of who you truly are. The dog is a great teacher for those who are willing to be loyal students. The choice is yours.

The Eagle

They remind us to pay attention to our speech and how it affects others. Our words as well as the tone of our voice should be examined. Eagle asks us to maintain a prayerful connection with Spirit, to keep our minds focused on what is important in life. Maintaining this attitude removes being judgmental from our consciousness. Without judgment we speak with encouragement and kindness towards others. Lessons associated with judgment are part of this medicine. Eagles have excellent vision. Perched high in a tree they appear to analyze and observe everything. If Eagle has blessed you with its presence in some way, you are being given potent gifts of clarity and vision to use for the good of all people helping to bring forth the light out of the darkness. Eagle also serves as a reminder to those with this totem to communicate with Great Spirit daily so the gifts Eagle offers you can be utilized fully.

The Elk

When elk appears in your life, it may be telling you to polish your act and carry yourself with pride and power. That does not mean you should be egotistical, however, for elk knows that its true power comes from Great Spirit. It shows off the gifts it has been given and uses them to its advantage. Elk holds the medicine of strength and empowerment. If you need to be impressive in a situation, it would be good to connect with elk and learn from it. If you are shy or unsure elk can show you how to become more confident.

The Fox

Those with fox as a totem are often clever and witty but must remember to keep their crafty and clever nature balanced or it could backfire. Fox can also suggest that your actions might be too obvious and you need to learn to be more discreet. Fox is one of the most uniquely skilled and ingenious animals of nature. Because it is a creature of the night, it is often imbued with supernatural powers. The fox has a long history of magic and cunning associated with it. It can move in and out of situations restoring order or causing confusion depending on the situation. If fox is your totem pay attention to the way it moves and follow its lead. This is a powerful medicine to have and those that it belongs to should learn to use its skills for the benefit of all, including you.

The Hawk

The destiny of all humankind is to awaken from their spiritual amnesia and realign with the original intention of their soul. When the hawk flies into our life we will be asked to evaluate who we have become and rip out the threads of our self created illusions. This enables our inner truth to surface. Hawk signifies union with Great Spirit. A bird of the heavens the hawk orchestrates the changes necessary for our spiritual growth. Having this totem can be bitter sweet. If we accept its presence in our life we will be asked to surrender anything that doesn't honor the integrity of all life. Be it an idea, a feeling or an action. Although hard work is involved the rewards the hawk offers us are great.

The Horse

When the horse, either wild or domestic, appears in your life the following questions should be asked. Are you pushing boundaries that are going to cause severe repercussions? Are you trying in your need to be free, to not play by the rules? If so, this may not be a bad thing, but learn the lesson of mustang, there can be a high price to pay for freedom.

The Owl

They are able to slip in and out of places unnoticed and can teach us how to do the same. Those with this medicine are usually gifted with clairvoyant and clairaudient abilities. Souls who are born with this totem have chosen a path which suggests a need to refine and perfect these gifts for the aid of others. They make excellent therapists, psychologists and counselors. Active at dawn and dusk owls are sometimes referred to as the night eagle, a messenger from the darkness and a guide through all the mysteries that it contains. It teaches us how to embrace our personal darkness without fear. If the owl appears in your life thank it for its willingness to guide you through its shadowy realm to the other side of promise and joy.

The Rabbit

Sensitive with keen observation skills, the rabbit has strong reflexes that help them dash to safety quickly protecting them selves from danger. They can be seen, disappear and reappear in the twinkling of an eye. Fast, agile and clever they hold the teachings of spontaneous decisive movement. Always knowing which direction to go and when. When rabbit appears it is enabling you to take advantage of opportunities that may only present themselves for brief moments. Rabbits are guides into the shadow world, where all of our personal fears lie. When the rabbit appears it is time to examine those deep reflexive fears that hold you back from growing. Do you keep dashing for the safety of your old patterns every time something new or challenging presents itself? If so the rabbit asks you to face your fears with compassion for yourself. Accept that it is part of human nature to feel fear at times, but also believe that our fears need not paralyze our growth and movement.

The Raccoon

Hiding behind its mask it can take on several identities at once and play out different roles. Seldom does it reveal its true identity. It loves adventure and leads us down a road to new discoveries. Shape shifting is part of its magic. Those with this totem do well in professions relating to the theater. Raccoons have an air of indifference around them when caught in the act of a robbery, although if provoked they can become ferocious. Strong and muscular the raccoon can hold its ground in most all situations and teaches us to do the same. The raccoon is a powerful ally and holds the gift of transformation. When, it appears in a persons life the many faces of self are about to be revealed.

The Raven

The raven knows the mystery of life. They have an intimate association with death and rebirth. Because raven would feed on the corpses of the dead hanging on the gallons, early European settlers feared this bird and considered it to be an ill omen. In truth, however, raven should be respected not feared. There are many stories in native cultures about this illusive black bird. Shamans know the power of an unexpected piercing sound in altering consciousness. Ravens exercise this power, emitting a variety of sounds and can aid us in shifting our consciousness into various dimensional realms. This is one reason why the raven is known as a shape shifter with magical powers. Anyone with raven as a totem can expect continual changes and spiritual awakenings throughout their life. Raven picks its students according to their accumulated wisdom. It flies into a person’s life carrying the energy of magic and healing. If it decides to settle in and take up residence, it will stay as long as necessary to aid you in transmuting your karma then return you to the light. It will push, prod, and lead you into the discovery of your multidimensional self and reunite you with the secrets of the multidimensional universe. Those with this totem should remember to meet raven, not with fear, but rather with an appreciation for the teachings that it holds.

The Redbreasted Robin

The red coloring of the robins chest is linked to the Kundalini in man. This life force lives coiled up within the base of the spine. When sufficient spiritual growth has been attained it uncoils, rising up the spine to create heightened awareness. This process enhances psychic vision which leads us into enlightenment. Those with this medicine are dedicated spiritual seekers. Growth can be slow and arduous. With patience, compassion and proper focus spiritual ideals are achieved. Robins lay powder blue eggs. This is the color associated with the throat chakra in man. It is also linked to heavenly inspiration. Because the throat chakra's main function is to express the will of God and the egg is symbolic of new life, this helpful little totem teaches us how to assert the creative will of God in all we do. It leads us into new beginnings without fear by restoring faith within our hearts.

The Snake

Snake has been a symbol of life and sexuality for thousands of years in many cultures. It is a totem of power, renewal and transmutation. Snakes lack eardrums and external ear openings but have small bones in the head that conduct sound. They are able to hear low frequency sounds and sense vibrations that travel through the earth. This links them to the underworld where secrets are stored. The snake symbolizes healing on a cellular level. Because their bodies are lightweight and flexible they have speed and agility. When they enter into your world expect swift changes to sweep through your life. These changes signify a death of the old and a birth into untapped power, creativity and wisdom. Snake is a powerful totem to have. Only those with a high degree of spiritual training, be it past or present, will be awarded this totem. It is the guardian of sacred places and the keeper of hidden knowledge.

The Wolf

They howl to find other pack members or to let wolves from outside of the pack know their territory boundaries. If you hear a wolf howl it might be telling you to stand your ground and defend your boundaries. The Wolf teaches you to have a balance between the needs your family has of you and the needs you have for yourself. They are totally loyal to the pack but do not give up their identity to the pack. If wolf appears in your life you are being asked to look at where you are being too dependent and where you may be too independent. In both family and community there needs to be a balance. Their body language is symbolic for those with this medicine. Man also uses body language to convey messages. The study of this art can increase perception in those with this totem. They do not fight unnecessarily and often go out of their way to avoid fighting. Sometimes a growl, a glance, a posture is all that is necessary to determine dominance. Wolf teaches those with this medicine to know who you are and to develop strength and confidence in what you do,

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Well, time for me to wrap it up. I always think I am writing a book!!

Please, don’t forget Freddy Little Massi…reach out and help them before its too late and we lose another life to the weather. The Dakotas are so cold in the winter.

Thank you my friends. Please pass on the information about Freddy Little Massi and save a life!!

Don't forget, if there is anything you would like to share please get in touch with me and I will put it in the next newsletter. Make sure it is clean without cussin and/or nasties. Thank you.